7/4/24 Report - Remains of Ivory Pyx Found. History of the Fourth of July. You Can't Take It With You. Flat Surf.

Written by the TreasureGuide for the exclusive use of the Treasure Beaches Report.

Remains of Ivory Pyx.

1,500-Year-Old Christian Ivory Box With Rare Engravings Found in Ancient Austrian Church...

Measuring about seven to 11 inches, the artifact was known as a “pyx,” a reliquary used in Christian ceremonies to hold the remains of saints. The use of such receptacles dates to the 4th century; though they were often crafted out of gold, silver, or enamel, ivory began to be used around the Middle Ages, its milky white shade symbolizing the sanctity of the boxes’ contents...

Studies of the pyx are still ongoing, particularly around the origins of its materials. The team hopes to use stable isotope analysis to determine more exactly the source of the ivory. “Metallic components—the hinges of the pyx were made of metal—are also still being examined, as is the glue that was used for the ivory,” said Ulrike Töchterle, head of the university’s restoration workshop...

Here is the link for more about that.

1,500-Year-Old Christian Ivory Box With Rare Engravings Found in Ancient Austrian Church (artnet.com)

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Known now as a day of patriotism and enjoying time off from work, the Fourth of July began the journey to becoming a quintessential American holiday in 1776,when the Second Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence.  Though 12 of the 13 American colonies had already approved the resolution by July 2, 1776, even prompting John Adams to write his daughter with predictions of future July Second festivities, the document declaring independence from Britain wasn’t officially adopted until July 4.

Some Americans began celebrating the very same year, though the practice wouldn’t become widespread until the aftermath of the War of 1812.

Congress finally passed a bill making Independence Day a federal holiday on June 28, 1870. In 1941, the law was amended to make it a paid holiday for federal employees.

Though some traditions associated with the Fourth of July have changed or disappeared over time – hosting mock funerals for the king of England, for example – many have remained true to their roots in the almost 250 years since the declaration was signed...

Here is the link for more about that.

The history behind Fourth of July traditions on US Independence Day (usatoday.com)

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I recently had to clean out another dwelling that belonged to an aging person.  This one belonged to my wife's aunt.  She lived in the same place for 40 or 50 years.  She had three or four times as much as I thought she would have.  Everything was stored away very compactly.  Every closet, drawer, nook and cranny was full.

We filled 8-foot by 12-foot dumpster.  It was probably five feet high, and we filled it even though we had some of the larger furniture hauled away and I broke down most the remaining big pieces.  I never would have imagined she had that much, but she did.

In the last several years, I cleaned out two apartments and two houses for deceased or aging persons and threw away tons of stuff including a lot of very good stuff that I hated throwing away.  There was valuable stuff, interesting stuff and a lot that I would gladly keep if I could, but I couldn't.  I hated throwing away such good stuff.  It felt like a sin, and showed what a rich and wasteful society we live in.  I took about fifteen loads to a nearby "free" store where people could come and take the items they wanted.  I would much rather see the items be used by someone who needed or appreciated them rather than throwing them in the dumpster.

Two of the houses were owned by people who didn't keep very much, but two of the people kept things that go back generations, including many antiques.  I hated seeing some of those things being thrown away.  A lifetime of accumulating ends with a few days of throwing out.

Detectorists are generally the kind of people that like to collect nice old things and over the years they accumulate a lot, but eventually it will all have to go somewhere.  That is the point I want to make today.  I've said it before, but once again, "You can't take it with you."  Unfortunately, many of the younger people won't have any interest.  They don't know the stories behind the items.  

This is a bit of a warning if you've accumulated a lot, like detectorists or treasure hunters might very well do.  Realize you won't have it forever and if you can, find good homes for the special items you really appreciate and pass them on.  Don't wait too long or there is a good possibility that your cherished items will get thrown in a dumpster.

When I cleaned out my mother's house, I had to keep reminding myself that she got good use out of some of those nice items that had to go.  Of course, you can keep some of it but then you will eventually have to give it up too.  That is one thing about collecting coins or antiques or collectibles - You can only do it for a while. 

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Concerning the nippers I showed yesterday, Mark G. says that the hammer marks that are on the rivets are not the result of manufacture.  The rivets were tightened by striking them with a hammer.  Here is a YouTube video that shows nippers being forged.

Forging a Hoof Nipper - GS Tongs Style (youtube.com)

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Source: nhc.noaa.gov

Beryl is still headed towards Mexico and Texas.

We'll have a decent low tide this afternoon.  I hope it is not going to be unbearably hot then, but it probably will be.

The surf this week will remain down around on foot.

Good hunting,

Treasureguide@comcast.net